U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations John Bolton leaves the White House after his resignation was accepted by U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington December 4, 2006. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES) 0 less

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations John Bolton leaves the White House after his resignation was accepted by U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington December 4, 2006. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts ... more

Photo: JOSHUA ROBERTS

Image 2 of 4

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton speaks after the U.N. Security Council voted to require Iran to stop its nuclear program, at the United Nations in New York in this July 31, 2006 file photo. Facing opposition from key senators, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton will leave office in a matter of days, the White House announced on December 4, 2006. REUTERS/Chip East/Files (UNITED STATES) less

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton speaks after the U.N. Security Council voted to require Iran to stop its nuclear program, at the United Nations in New York in this July 31, 2006 file photo. Facing ... more

Photo: CHIP EAST

Image 3 of 4

** FILE ** President Bush, left, speaks with United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, center, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is below at right. Unable to win Senate confirmation, Bolton will step down when his temporary appointment expires within weeks, the White House said Monday, Dec. 4, 2006. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) less

** FILE ** President Bush, left, speaks with United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, center, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a Security Council meeting at the United Nations ... more

2006-12-05 04:00:00 PDT Washington -- President Bush surrendered to congressional foes Monday in his fight to install John Bolton as permanent ambassador to the United Nations, a sign of how the political world has changed since Democrats captured both houses of Congress.

Bush circumvented Senate opposition last year to send Bolton to the United Nations on a recess appointment, and administration lawyers in recent weeks had developed options to keep him there even after that appointment expires this month. But officials said Bolton and the White House decided against provoking an early confrontation with Democrats as they take over Congress next month.

As Bolton's resignation was announced, the White House deliberated on a new nominee, with attention focusing on Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. The White House also has a crop of Republican lawmakers who lost re-election to pick from. A number of senior ambassadors from around the world also have expressed interest, but administration officials said Bolton's successor will be a political nominee.

Bolton became the second high-profile member of Bush's foreign policy team after Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to announce his departure in the wake of the Nov. 7 elections. Bush appeared aggravated at having to abandon Bolton, whose bare-knuckled diplomacy and skepticism of multilateralism made him a favorite of conservatives and a lightning rod for many in the Washington and international establishment.

"I'm not happy about it," Bush said in a one-minute appearance with Bolton before cameras in the Oval Office. "I think he deserved to be confirmed. And the reason why I think he deserved to be confirmed is because I know he did a fabulous job for the country."

During a separate interview with Fox News Channel, Bush said: "On issue after issue, Bolton delivered. And so you're looking at a man who is deeply disappointed, and I would call it shallow politics of the Senate in this case."

Bolton's departure leaves another hole in Bush's foreign policy team at a time when the U.N. ambassador is heavily involved in diplomacy involving the nuclear activities of Iran and North Korea and the continuing crisis in Lebanon. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been without a deputy since July when Robert Zoellick resigned, and her counselor Philip Zelikow last week announced he will depart at the end of the year.

Bolton recast the role of ambassador to the United Nations, a post traditionally filled by prominent Americans who helped explain the organization to Washington. Instead, Bolton relished the role of the United Nations' chief critic, downplaying its achievements and regaling congressional committees with its failings.

Still, his encyclopedic knowledge of the United Nations and tough negotiating style earned him grudging admiration from peers on the Security Council, who credited him with helping pass resolutions demanding that North Korea and Iran restrain their nuclear programs and helping end the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Bolton also persuaded the Security Council for the first time to add Burma to its permanent agenda, a long-sought goal of human-rights activists.

"He's been a strong American ambassador to the Security Council, but unfortunately the Security Council is just one piece of the puzzle up here," Luck said.

Khalilzad, an Afghan American who has served as Bush's envoy in both Kabul and Baghdad, is generally well liked by Democrats. Other names being mentioned Monday included Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky. Deputy chief of mission Alejandro Wolff will fill in until a replacement is confirmed.